Flasher device



Dec. 28, 1937. I SCHWDINGER 2,103,276

FLASHER DEVICE Filed March 3, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l YIIIIIIIIII 2 l/IIIIIIII 25 20 FlE.4. 1fi.5.

' INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Dec. 28, 1937. J. SCHMIDINGER FLASHER DEVICE Filed March 3, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Joseph Schmidinger BY 3mg Mar/64 I ATTORNEY5 Patented Dec. 28, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,103,276 FLASHER nnvros Joseph Schmidinger, Long Island City, N. Y. Application March 3, 1936, Serial No. 66,814

9 Claims.

My present invention relates to thermoresponsive electric switches or flashers, and comprises an improved device of this character that is commercially practicable; being relatively simple and economical to manufacture and of sturdy construction. The invention includes also a novel circuit arrangement including as one element thereof the improved flasher device.

The improved flasher is of the type disclosed and claimed in my prior Patent No. 1,979,349, dated November 6, 1934, and in U. S. Patent No. 1,998,823, dated April 23, 1935, issued on the joint application of C. C. Bohner and myself.

The new-flasher, like those of the above-mentioned prior patents, includes an expansible Wire which when heated by the passage of electric current therethrough permits closure ofcontacts of which one is carried by the armature of a magnet; the closure of the contacts shunting the wire and causing cooling thereof with consequent opening of the contacts. In the patented devices a resilient member, connected with the armature of the magnet provides a biasing means for causing closure of the contacts upon expansion of the wire.

In the present construction, a separate biasing member or spring is not required because of the novel armature construction which incorporates therein the biasing function of the spring ,of the former devices. The improved form of arrnature not only thus eliminates one heretofore important element but also improves the operation of the devices as a whole by providing a wiping action of one contact upon another-just prior to a snap action opening thereof.

Another feature of the present invention is an improved anchoring means for the end of the expansible wire remote from the armature which means permits of ready adjustment of the tension of the wire during or after assembly of the device.

Other novel constructional features of the improved device include the mounting for the fixed contact and the supporting bracket and base for the operating parts of the device.

For an understanding of the novel features of my present invention reference may be hadto the accompanying drawings of which:

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, ofa flasher embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a plan view taken along the line 3-3 .of Fig. 1,

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged detailed views show-t cation of parts be avoided. The

ing the armature construction and illustrating the operation thereof,

Fig. 6 is a side view, partly in section, of a device constructed according to the invention and adapted to control more than one circuit,

Fig. '7 is a plan view taken along the line 'I-| of Fig. 6,

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are circuit diagrams illustrating various uses of the new flasher devices.

The flasher illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, comprises the electromagnet coil 2, the core 4, armature 6, expansible wire 8 connected at one end with the movable end of the armature 3 and at its other end through a load resistance Hi and supporting conducting wire [2 with the fixed contact 14 carried on the wire l2 and with one end of the coil 2, an insulating base l6 upon which the parts are mounted and through which electrical connections are made, and a suitable cover I 8 secured to the base I6 and completely enclosing the operating parts. A bracket supports the entire flasher mechanism upon the base.

The bracket 20 is so shaped as to provide two horizontal portions at different levels and one vertical portion. The lower horizontal portion of the bracket rests upon the base l6 and is clamped thereto by a metal piece 22 which with a screw 23 forms one terminal of the device. The upper horizontal portion extends beneath the core 4, and is provided with a punched up button 24 which cooperates during operation of the device with the armature, as hereinafter described. An extension of the upper horizontal portion of the bracket is provided with an aperture 25 through which passes the wire 8. A glass head 26, fused about the wire 8 at a point beneath the aperture 25, serves to maintain the wire under tension and to insulate it from the bracket. Adjustment of the tension of wire 8 may be readily effected by slight bending of the horizontal extension of bracket 20. In devices relying for operation upon definite but small movements, it is of paramount importance that even very slight relative disloabove described insulated anchoring bead and support for wire 8 is thus of particular value because it insures positively against any change in the normal position of armature 6. Also of importance is the fact that automatic machinery may be used in the assembly of this part of the device. The vertical portion of bracket 20 serves to support core 4 which is welded thereto.

The armature 6 extends vertically along one side of the core 4 and has an extended relatively resilient tail portion which curves around the lower corner of the core and extends over and engages the button 24 of bracket 20. The end of the tail portion of the armature is welded to the lower center of the core and the upper free end of the. armature carries a contact 28 for engagement with contact I. To increase magnetic attraction between armature and core, without substantially adding to the weight of the armature, the armature is constructed with outstanding wall portions 29.

The core 4 is in the general shape of an I with relatively enlarged upper and lower portions and a restricted center portion about which the coil 2 is wound. The upper portion of the core is provided with a U-shaped slot which receives and has welded thereto a metal eyelet 38. The wire l2 which serves both as a conductor and as a support for the fixed contact I8 is mounted in a short length of glass tubing 32 which is fused onto the wire and also to the eyelet 38, to provide an insulated mounting for the wire. In assembling this portion of the device, wire I2 is passed through the glass tubing 32 and eyelet 30, the eyelet is then welded to the core and the tubing simultaneously fused to the wire l2 and to the eyelet. The short end of wire i2 is then welded to an end of coil 2, the contact I4 is welded to the wire and the wire bent around into a loop to bring the contact l4 into alinement with contact 28 on armature 8. After the upper end of resistance i0 is welded to wire l2 the distance between contacts may be adjusted while current is passed through the device, by diminishing or increasing the size of the loop into which the wire 12 is bent.

When the device has been assembled and the contact gap and tension of wire 8 adjusted as above described, a suitable cover I8 is positioned about the device and secured either permanently or detachably to the base Hi. In the particularembodiment of the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the cover 18 is shown as permanently secured to the base by means of a sleeve 38; the sleeve being crimped over the flanged lower end of the cover and being provided with an annular shoulder engaging the under surface of the base.

The button 24 acting upon the under side of the tail portion of armature 6 tends normally to move the armature into contact closing position against the tension of wire 8. The button 24 also serves to mechanically protect the weld between core and armature. When the wire is cold the tension of wire 8 is sufficient to prevent closure ofthe contacts and the parts are as shown in Fig 1 and in full lines in the enlarged detail view of Fig. 4. When wire 8 becomes heated by the passage of current therethrough, its expansion permits the armature to move to contact closing position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. The closure of contacts l4 and 28 shunts wire 8 and resistance Hi, the circuit then being from terminal 22 through bracket 28, core 4, armature 6, contacts 28 and I4, and coil 2 tothe other terminal of the device, indicated in Fig. 2 as a metal piece 38 to which one end of coil 2 is welded. Contraction of wire 8 upon its shunting by contacts 28 and I4 first causes the armature to move downward into the position illustrated in Fig. 5. This downward movement is accompanied by a wiping action of contact 28 upon contact l4 and by a buckling of the tail portion of the armature about the button 24. When the buckling of the spring-like tail portion becomes sufficient to overcome the magnetic attraction of the core upon the armature, the armature snaps out into the normal open position with a positive opening of the contacts and consequent minimum of sparking. Upon opening of the contacts current flows from terminal 22 and armature 6 through wire 8 and resistance It to the coil 2 and terminal 36 (assuming an electromotive force applied across the terminals) and the consequent expansion of wire 8 causes the above described cycle of operations to be repeated with alternate increase and decrease of current through any circuit connected in series with the device.

It will be apparent from the above description that the new device may be readily assembled, entirely by welding, and. cheaply manufactured, that it is rugged and positive in action and yet extremely sensitive and quick acting. The armature construction and mounting upon the core provides a magnetic circuit which opens at one place only, and gives the proper delayed but posi-' tive opening of the contacts; the bracket construction with its pushed up button cooperating with the armature during operation, provides a support for the device, and also an adjustable means for anchoring wire 8 and the insulated support means for the fixed contact carrying member provides a simple means foradjusting the spacing of the contacts.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is illustrated an embodiment of the invention which difiers from that of Figs. 1 to 5 primarily in the addition of a second armature and a second pair of contacts controlled thereby. In Figs. 6 and '7, such parts of the device as are substantially identical with those already described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5, are indicated by the same reference numerals.

The device of Figs. 6 and 7, like that of Figs. 1 to 5, includes the coil 2 wound about the core 4, armature 6, expansible wire 8, ballast resistance i8 and contacts l8 and 28; the operating circuit, when the contacts are open being the same as heretofore described. In addition, the device includes a second armature 38 which carries a contact 48, a fixed contact 42 mounted on a supporting wire 44 in position to be engaged by contact 42, and a terminal 46 on the base l6 electrically connected by a lead 4! and the supporting wire 44 with contact 42. The armature 38 which is preferably constructed like armature 8, is secured at its lower end to the core 4 in such manner as to tend to move to contact opening position; a stop 18 secured to the upper portion of the core 4 being provided to limit its outward movement. The opening action of armature 38 is such that when contacts 28 and M are out of engagement and the normal operating potential difierence is applied across terminals 36 and 22, the magnetic attraction upon the armature will be insufficient to move it into contact closing position but when contacts 28 and I4 are in engagement and wire 8 and resistance H) are consequently shunted from the circuit of coil 2, the armature 38 will be moved into position to close contacts 40 and 42. Thus armatures 38 and 6 will move in timed relation, the one to open its circuit and the other to vary the series resistance of its circuit.

The devices above described may be advantageously employed wherever it is desired to vary the current of a circuit periodically or to open a circult periodically. In the circuit diagram of Fig. 8 the device of Figs. 1 to 5 operates not only to flash lamps connected in series therewith but also as a relay to cause indications of the condition of the circuit to be given. In Fig. 8 a pair of lamps A Where indications might be two signal lights on one side of a truck for indicating a left turn, a pair of lamps B might be the two signal lights on the other side of the truck for indicating a right turn. Lamp P may be a small signal lamp on the dashboard. Lamps A and B are connected, through opposite poles of a manually operable switch 49, with terminal 35; and lamp P, when the switch is closed in'either position, is connected in parallel with either lamps A or lamps B. A suitable source of electromotive force E, presumably the truck storage battery, is connected to terminal '22. driver wishes to turn left, he throws switch 49 to connect lamps A and lamp P into the circuit. Current will then flow from battery E through armature 6, wire8, resistance l0, coil 2. switch 49 and lamps A and P in parallel to ground. This current, because of the inclusion in the circuit of wire 8 and resistance ID will be insufiicient to cause the lamps to reach incandescence. As soon, however, as'wire 8 becomes heated, its expansion will permit armature 6 to move tocontact clos ng position. The increased current due to the shunting of wire 8 and resistance I lights lamps A and lamp P.

When wire 8 cools, its contraction causes the i4, and the consequent This cycle continues lamps A burn out the current through coil 2 will be reduced and consequently the holding power of the electromagnet will be reduced.- This results in a. more rapid operation of the device as a whole, so that the driver of the truck, upon seeing lamp P Should both lamps A be burned out, the lamp P will burn steadily, drawing insufficient current to cause 8 to a point Where the contacts If a short circu t should develop. lamp P will be ex inguished. Thus the pilot lamp will indicate to the driver the condition of the signal lamp circuit, anything other than the norcourse, identical with that already described.

. Where but two indications are to be given by a s gnal lamp, then, in the circuit of Fig. 8, the de- With such an arrangement, when either or both lamps A burn out the circuit of the signal lamp P will be opened, and similarly for lamps B.

A switch 52, automatically operated, is provided in the battery circuit. For example, the circuit of Fig. 9 might be used in pin-ball machines where the tripping of the switch 52, effected by suitable mechanism, will automatically flash the lamps C so long as the switch is closed. The number of In operation, if the lamps C in operation will have no effect upon the rate of flashing so long as the capacity of 1 the battery E is suflicient tocarry the load.

D is connected through terminal 46 with a conto be engaged by a contact, -56 on armature 38 when the armature is in its tact 54 positioned normal open position and lamp L is connected through terminal 36 with one end of the coil 2. A switch 58 controls theoperation of the device. Upon closure of the switch, lamp D will first light while lamp L will burn but dimly, if at all, because it is in series with wire I0. Upon expansion of wire 8, armature 6 will move to contact closing position when wire 8 and resistance 1-0 are shunted. This increases the current through lamp L sufliciently to cause it to shine brightly and also increases the magnetic attraction of coil 2 upon armature 38 sufliciently to causev it to move contact 56 out of engagement with contact 54.

expands and contracts.

The improved flasher and examples given of its use in the control of lamps. Obviously additional applications of the flasher are possible and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Certain novel constructional features of the improved flasher might be employed without the other specific features illustrated in the drawings and various changes in circuit connections might be made without departing from the spirit of the invention- The following is claimed: a

1. A device of the character described comprising in combination a movable member having one end fixed, a contact carried by the movable end of said member, a fixed contact positioned to be engaged by said first mentioned contact, an expansible resistance wire having one end secured to the movable end of said member in electrical connection with the contact carried thereby and its other end electrically connected with said fixed contact, and insulated anchoring means for'maintaining 'said wire under tension, whereby said wire upon contraction moves said member out of contact closing position, said insulated means including an arm having an aperture therein for passage of said wire therethrough and an insulating bead fused about said wire and engaging said arm on the side thereof remote from the movable end of said member, whereby the pull of said wire upon said movable member may be adjusted by bending said arm.

2. A device according to claim 1 including magnetic means with which said movable member cooperates as an armature, said fixed contact being insulatedly mounted adjacent one end of said magnetic means and the fixed end of said movable member being secured to the other end of said magnetic means whereby opening of the contacts upon contraction of said wire opens the magnetic circuit at one point only.

3. A device of the class described, the combination comprising an electromagnet including a 8 and resistance has now been described core and a coil, wound thereupon, an armature secured at one end to said core,a contact carried by said armature remote from the fixed end thereof, a pair of terminals one electrically connected to said core and the other to one end of said coil, a fixed contact electrically connected to the other end of said coil and positioned to be engaged by said armature carried contact, an expansible resistance wire electrically connected across said contacts, said wire having one end secured to the movable end of said armature, and insulated anchoring means for maintaining said wire under tension, whereby said wire, upon contraction, moves said armature out of contact closing position.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein one end of said core has a U-shaped slot therein, and wherein a wire insulatedly mounted in said slot, has welded thereto said fixed contact and one end of said coil, said last mentioned wire being formed into a loop whereby adjustment/of the spacing between contacts maybe effected 'by varying the dimensions of said loop.

5. The device according to claim 3 including a second armature having one end secured to said core and carrying a contact at the movable end thereof; a second fixed contact positioned to be engaged by the contact carried by said last mentioned armature and a third terminal electrically connected with said last mentioned fixed contact, said last mentioned armature having a resilient portion normally tending to move the armature into contact opening position.

6. A device of the character described comprising in combination an electromagnetic coil, an armature cooperating therewith and biased to retracted position, a contact carried by said armature, a fixed contact positioned to be engaged by said armature carried-contact in one position of said armature, and means for intermittently varying the current through said coil so as to cause said armature to open and close said contacts intermittently, said means including a source of electromotive force, a second armature and a contact carried thereby, a fixed contact positioned to be engaged by the contact carried on said last mentioned armature when the armature is in attracted position and an expansible' resistance wire connected across said last mentioned contacts so as to be shunted when the contacts are closed, said wire being connected under tension to said last mentioned armature whereby when the wire contracts it moves.

said armaturefto contact opening position.

'7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the first-'mentioned fixed contact is positioned to be engaged by the contact carried by said first mentioned armature when that armature is in attracted position whereby a circuit connected to said fixed contact will be closed when the current through said coil is increased by: the shunting of said wire and will be opened when the current through said coil is decreased by the series resistance of said wire.

8. A device according to claim 6 wherein the first mentioned fixed contact is positioned to be engaged by the contact carried by said first mentioned armaturewhen that armature'is in re-,

tracted position whereby a circuit connected to said fixed contact will be opened when the cur rent through said coil is increased by the shunting of said wire and will be closed when the curto said member and normally holdingsaid member in another relative contact position, and insulated anchoring means for maintaining said wire under tension, said insulated means includ ing an arm having an aperture therein for the passage of the wire therethrough and an insulated bead fused about said wire and engaging said arm on-the side thereof remote from the connection of said wire-with said member.

JOSEPH SCHM'IDINGER. 

